Thermoplastic elastomer composition and process for producing the same and pneumatic tire and hose using the same

Abstract

A thermoplastic elastomer composition dynamically vulcanized to a gelation rate of 50 to 95% which is superior in heat resistance and durability while maintaining flexibility and superior in air permeation preventive property which can be efficiently used as, for example, a pneumatic tire as an air permeation preventive layer.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising an elastomer component containing a nylon resin having a melting point of 170 to 230° C. and a halide of an isobutylene-p-methylstyrene copolymer, of which copolymer is dynamically vulcanized to a gelation rate of 50 to 95%, wherein the nylon resin is (i) nylon 11 or nylon 12 and (ii) nylon 6/66 copolymer at a composition ratio (i)/(ii) of 10/90 to 90/10. 
     
     
       2. A thermoplastic elastomer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nylon resin is composed of (i) nylon 11 or nylon 12 and (ii) nylon 6/66 copolymer at a composition ratio (i)/(ii) of 30/70 to 85/15. 
     
     
       3. A thermoplastic elastomer composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of a blend of (i) the nylon 11 or nylon 12 and (ii) the nylon 6/66 copolymer in the thermoplastic elastomer composition is Mw/Mn<10.0. 
     
     
       4. A pneumatic tire having a thermoplastic elastomer composition according to any one of  claims 1  to  3  as an air permeation preventive layer.